The 2020 NFL Combine on-field workouts begin Thursday, February 27th in Indianapolis and the first group of players fans will get a chance to look at is the quarterbacks. Some quarterbacks will help out with drills on the following days, but most will leave after the first day of on-field testing.

This is the first in a series of articles leading up to this year’s NFL Combine, where the Lions Wire team has identified players they will be tracking in order to determine potential fits within the organization.

Quarterback traits to evaluate

On-field drills for the quarterbacks can be a mixed bag of results as they will be working with over 50 different receivers, most of which they’ve never met, and the expectation is they will miss several targets. Don’t focus too much on completions, instead, pay attention to footwork, ball placement and confidence when throwing.

One of the big things Scouts will be paying attention to is what quarterbacks do when they don’t have the ball in their hands. If a player is relaxed on the big stage of the Combine, this illustrates comfort. If they encourage other prospects, it speaks to their leadership and these things often go much further than production in Indianapolis.

Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama

Suggested by: Erik Schlitt and Sonja Greenfield

This “watch” is mainly about the medical check — and any leaked information that comes out — because he’s not going to be healthy enough to participate in on-field drills. If he does make it on the field, keep an eye on his interactions with other players and media interviews.

If his health continues to progress forward, it’s going to increase the value of the Lions third overall draft pick.

Jordan Love, Utah State

Suggested by: Scott Bischoff, Max Gerber, and Ty Finch

Loaded with enough talent to warrant a first-round pick, his inconsistency over the past season — he had a new offensive coordinator in 2019 — has caused evaluators some pause. The Lions got a long look at Love at the Senior Bowl and if they are in the market for a quarterback who could start after Matthew Stafford’s contract expires in two years, they should be interested in Love.

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Jake Fromm, Georgia

Suggested by: Scott Warheit

Highly intelligent and experienced — 42 games started in the SEC — Fromm stays calm in the pocket and moves through his progressions with expert precision. He shows good anticipation and decision making but when he gambles it usually ends poorly. Fromm is built for a West Coast offense, but the biggest concern in the Lions scheme is arm talent, as he lacks the cannon arm to consistently take deep vertical shots.

Jalen Hurts, Oklahoma (via Alabama)

Suggested by: Bryce Rossler

Tremendous athlete, winner, and leader, Hurts has shown enough development at quarterback while at Oklahoma to warrant a Day 2 selection. His footwork allows him to stay mobile and extend plays, but like most mobile quarterbacks, he will often escape the pocket early, leaving plays on the field.

Rumors are some teams don’t view him as a quarterback, so it will be interesting to see if he will work out at another position at the Combine.

Anthony Gordon, Washington State

Suggested by: Zack Moran

With only one year starting experience, Gordon is very much a developmental prospect but the talent is obvious for a team willing to wait. He has tremendous arm talent, can make throws at all three-levels, is highly competitive, and confident. Teams willing to grab him on Day 3 will be anticipating that his consistency will improve with experience.

James Morgan, Florida Int.

Suggested by: Jeff Risdon

Another highly developmental prospect, Morgan possesses a big arm but lacks the touch needed to be impactful early in his career. He can throw it to every area on the field and is willing to hang in the pocket, but those traits can often get him into trouble when trying to force a ball. What’s most appealing about Morgan in the Lions scheme is his willingness to take vertical shots and the arm strength to get the ball there.

Nate Stanley, Iowa

Suggested by: Derek Okrie

Stanley had a very productive career at Iowa and most expected him to make a leap in development this season but it never came. He has a very big arm and likes to throw downfield, but he lacks short-range touch and plays with heavy feet. He is more NFL ready than most Day 3 quarterback prospects and may earn a role as a backup quicker than Gordon or Morgan, but he doesn’t have their developmental ceiling.

Steven Montez, Colorado

Suggested by: Matt Urben

Like with Stanley, the talent is there but there are questions surrounding his ability to develop beyond what he currently is. He is slick in the pocket and has the arm strength to reach all three levels but the biggest obstacles he will face in the NFL will be his timeliness, both in making his reads and with his delivery.